Adding and updating assets and asset metadata from CSV files to catalogs

Last updated: Jun 27, 2025

To upload and update multiple catalog assets in bulk, import and export CSV (comma-separated value) files with either asset metadata details or asset relationship details, or both.

Required permissions

The Editor or Admin catalog role.
The access permissions to import assets.

Adding and updating asset metadata

To add and update catalog assets, asset details, and asset relationships in bulk from CSV files:

If you want to add catalog assets for the first time:
1. Prepare your CSV file or files.
  Follow the file format that is described in CSV file format for importing metadata asset details and CSV file format for importing asset relationships details.
  
  The maximum recommended number of assets for one CSV file is 10,000.
2. Ensure that all referenced asset types, custom attributes, and artifacts exist.
3. Import asset metadata:
  1. In Catalogs > Assets, click Add to catalog and select Metadata import from file.
  2. To easily identify your import, define its details, such as name and tags.
  3. Add the CSV file or files.
  4. Choose a corresponding import type for each CSV file.
  5. Specify how the import impacts existing catalog assets by selecting the merge setting. Update original assets is selected by default. The available options are based on the default duplicate handling method for your catalog.
    
    If the import updates existing assets, the attributes that aren't defined in the CSV are removed. Only attachments (asset data) are saved.
  6. Review the details and click Create to start the import. The import time depends on the size of your CSV file or files. When the import job is completed, the status changes to Finished and you can see an Import finished message.
If you want to update existing catalog assets, asset details, and asset relationships:
1. Export asset metadata:
  1. In Catalogs > Assets, select the assets that you want to update.
  2. Click Export asset metadata.
  3. Select whether you want to export asset details, asset relationships, or both and click Export. Separate CSV files are downloaded for asset details and asset relationships.
2. Edit your CSV file or files in an editor of your choice.
  Follow the file format that is described in CSV file format for importing metadata asset details and CSV file format for importing asset relationships details.
  
  The maximum recommended number of assets for one CSV file is 10,000.
3. Ensure that all referenced asset types, custom attributes, and artifacts exist.
4. Import asset metadata:
  1. In Catalogs > Assets, click Add to catalog and select Metadata import from file.
  2. To easily identify your import, define its details, such as name and tags.
  3. Add the edited CSV file or files.
  4. Choose a corresponding import type for each CSV file.
  5. Specify how the import impacts existing catalog assets by selecting the merge setting. Update original assets is selected by default. The available options are based on the default duplicate handling method for your catalog.
    
    If the import updates existing assets, the attributes that aren't defined in the CSV are removed. Only attachments (asset data) are saved.
  6. Review the details and click Create to start the import. The import time depends on the size of your CSV file or files. When the import job is completed, the status changes to Finished and you can see an Import finished message.